News of the Muse

oram Carmi's Fresco dance troupe will debut two new performances at the Suzanne Dellal Center Thursday night, January 18, supported by the Holon Municipality.

By BARRY DAVIS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Feeling a little 'Fresco' Yoram Carmi's Fresco dance troupe will debut two new performances at the Suzanne Dellal Center Thursday night, January 18, supported by the Holon Municipality. The famed choreographer will present Gar'inim (Seeds) and Nigzeret (Derivative). In Gar'inim two men and four women sit on a bench waiting and eyeing each other, knowing they have a two to one chance to make a connection. The dance explores relationships, voyeurism and reality in a world without privacy. In Nigzeret 5 dancers emerge from a wall onto the dance floor. Their dance searches for the personal within a group. The premiere of these two works will take place on January 18 at 21:00 and on January 19 at 22:00. The cost is NIS 90. - Jerusalem Post staff Belly up in Eilat This weekend Eilat will groove to the sensuous sounds of Arabic music as women from all over the country and abroad converge for the third annual Eastern Dance Festival. The three-day event covers a surprisingly wide range of items, focusing on belly dancing and related areas. The festival, which naturally caters largely to women, offers lectures, performances and over 50 workshops. Twenty teachers from Israel and abroad, including from some of our regional neighbors, will participate. The festival lecturers and participants include professional and amateur dancers from countries across the globe, including Russia, France, Costa Rica, the United States, Japan, Britain, Scandinavia and Egypt. The festival program does not concentrate exclusively on dancing. It also features an eastern-style bazaar offering all manner of dancing accessories, clothes, music and jewelry. Coffee and tea will also be "on tap" in a Bedouin tent. The lecture program includes a symposium on belly dancing, a historical review of the art form, and a look at the sensual and sexual aspects of eastern dance presented by a sexologist. Those looking for a more contemporary take on belly dancing will no doubt enjoy the eastern hip-hop workshop given by French choreographer Claude Dedier. Top oud player, singer and music teacher Samir Makhoul will also provide live musical entertainment. For more information about the festival, go to: www.eilatfestival.com - Barry Davis